History of Goshen College
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The picture above shows the groundbreaking of Goshen College in a wheat field on the Shoup farm at the south end of Eighth Street in June 1903. |
Goshen College was founded in 1894 as the Elkhart Institute
of Science, Industry and the Arts – a private preparatory
school to provide the opportunity for Mennonite and other
young people to further their education. Soon afterwards,
the
Mennonite Church took over its operation. By 1900 the
school was flourishing, and new facilities were needed for
academics and student housing. Business and civic leaders
from the city of Goshen convinced school leaders of the benefits
of relocating to the southern edge of their growing town,
and ground was broken on a wheat field near train tracks that
could accommodate delivery of students to the new campus.
From its inception, Goshen College has been known for its
high ideals for excellence and energetic vision, inspired
by a deep desire to uniquely prepare students as engaged church
members and leaders and responsible world citizens. Soon after
establishing the Goshen campus in 1903, President Noah Byers
suggested a college motto that has stood the test of time:
“Culture for Service” has inspired generations
of students to follow the example of Jesus as they equip themselves
for lives of service. Since 1997, the college has planned
a day off from classes to offer hands and hearts of assistance
to the community during an annual
Celebrate Service Day.
In 2002, the college re-articulated the values that have long
been woven into the cultural fabric of the institution: We
are a Christ-centered community committed to passionate learning,
global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership.
From its beginnings, Goshen College students have always been
highly invested in their education, the institution and the
world around them: from 1941 when student leaders sponsored
an impromptu parade at the news of the college first receiving
accreditation by the North Central Association, to 2005 when
the campus raised thousands of dollars for relief in response
to the South Asia earthquake and tsunami. Goshen graduates
take these experiences with them as they follow paths that
change lives and change the world.
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One of the college’s distinctive features is its Study-Service Term program, which was implemented in 1968 as a cutting-edge international education program. |
A sense of vibrant connectedness to the larger world has been
integral to the college since its beginnings, when three students
were sent to India for volunteer efforts. And one of the college’s
distinctive features is its
Study-Service Term program, which
was implemented in 1968 as a cutting-edge international education
program and built on the experiences of faculty members who
had lived, studied and served abroad. Since then, more than
6,500 students and 230 faculty members have journeyed to 19
countries significantly different than our own through the
semester-long, immersion experience, which features the uncommon
combination of cultural education and service-learning.
Today, more than 20,000 Goshen College alumni have been counted,
residing throughout the world in more than 85 countries, and
the campus has flourished from less than 50 acres to 135 acres
with 18 major buildings. The college now offers 32 majors
and 35 minors of academic study, with quality professional
programs and facilities. In addition the co-curriculars, internships,
intercollegiate athletic teams and intramurals offer students
rich and balanced opportunities for personal, intellectual,
spiritual, physical, social and professional growth.
Much has changed since the college’s beginnings, but
the familiar sound of train whistles brings a reminder that
many things remain the same. Goshen College – rooted
in the Anabaptist tradition of answering Christ’s call
to reconciliation, community and service in the world –
is thriving as a liberal arts college pursuing exceptional
academic inquiry. With alignment of our core values and strategic
plan with board of directors and presidential leadership,
Goshen College is particularly poised to flourish in its second
century.
Here are some interesting articles that have been written
about events in Goshen College's history:
One remarkable year: 1903-1904
Goshen College's history as told by Susan Fisher Miller '79,
titled,
One remarkable year: 1903-1904, from the "Celebrating
100 Years in Goshen, Indiana" July 2003 issue of
the
Bulletin (several photos with detailed captions).
Read
full story
Cow
in the Science Hall: Get the scoop on legendary GC pranks
In the U.S., a widely known and practiced college prank is
to take a cow to the top floor of some building and release
it there – but it is especially popular in areas like
Goshen, where cows have always been readily available.
Read
full story
